Sanitary receptacle



y 1951 E. T. CHRISTOPHER ET AL 2,551,315

SANITARY RECEPTACLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1948 R E W S O A Y TM M 5 m 2 V m w Y. M F m R WRMY W I m m flww Y liiflflu 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS F s. m

INVENTORS EDWARD T. CHRISTOPHER HARRY 'H. HERMAN SANITARY RECEPTACLE L A T E R E H P O T S R H C E Filed July 23, 1948 iatented May 1 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 23551315 S Ed ii ifaqill'i Edward T. Christopher and Harry H. Herman, Denver, Colo. li fl c i ni nr 194s ,-sfssmio,ssi

IG-CIaii'ns.

This invention relates tosam'tary devices; and more particularly to receptacles adaptedto re ceive and discharge liquids, for sanitary use; Such a doushe as d als o l i g" com etions therefor;

A receptacle, such as a douche bag, which may be filled with a liquid such as water, or a water solution including a Small quantity of an antiseptic, soap or' detergent, perfume or the like, and the" contents controllably" dis:- charged, finds frequent use in personal-sanita tion. In the home or the like, where there is considerable space and extensive facilities are ceptacle of this type may be "comparatively'large, since it may be stored in a" closet or' other convenient place, but such receptacles are usually too, bulky, and" cumbersome to be readily carried about. Also, thefacilities' for adetniately filling or preparing the solution to'be'use'cl in'the'receptacle; outside of the'home, are frequently'in' adequate. Thus, it often happens that'theperso'nal comfort or hygiene of a possible user suffers. I

Among the objects of this inve'ntiori are" to providean improved sanitary device or thetype described, and also a' novel filling o'o'nnectionfor the same; to provide such a receptaclewhich; when not inuse, may beff'oldd or assembled neatlyin a sm ll package, which" eanreadiljf be carried in a handbag or'tl elike; to provide such a" filling connection whichenablestl 1ere= ceptacle to be readily filled, from aconv' tional water tap; to provide sucl'ia filling-eon: nection which will accommodate different sizes of water taps; to'providesuch a'filling conned tion which permits the ingress of liquid during filling, but prevents the egressof liquid, after filling; to provide such a filling connection' whieh is particularly adapted to'pe'rinit the introduc tion of a desired quantity of a materialsuch as an antiseptic, detergent, perfume 01 the; like; to provide such a filling 'connectipn whicl i'rnay take any one of a' number of diflerefnt, forms;

and to provide such a connection" which is;

tively simple in construction and ine'Xpensiv o manufacture.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description'which follows. 7

In general, a sanitary device of thjef't'yjpe da scribed, constructedin accordance with this in"- vention, may comprise a' flexible; collapsible bag", having an inlet andjan outletv tube or thelike, in combination with; a filling connection, preferably in the) bag inlet, and having non-return valve therein. The filling connection"mafi compage af si'ngle body oran outer sleeve and an inner body" detachably connected thereto, the inne body being provided with a non-return v valve; details of a-preferred form of the same and otherpart being" shown in the accompany ingdrawings; in which:- r

is a side elevation of asanit'ary device of; the" type described, comprising a bag; and a novel filling'connection, constructed inaccor'dn 'asixnilarlongitudinal secti n, of an alternative 'eri bedirnent of this il'iveliitiblii;

Fig. 5 is a;similar longitudinal sctio'n'of a u her alternati e mbodi t this invn se ia A Fig, 7 isa' iragmentary, longitudinal section of a modified valve construction. H I As; illustrated Figs. 1- -3, asanitary device constructedin; accordance with this invention may comp ise ic lans ba 3 a a d t b f ld d nto: a at com ct si on, ndivi r vided=iwith-aineck ll} adapted to be strctcmnl ov r" he: low r" end; o llin i QOIH B QF- The lower' end ofrthe a is pro i dwitba conventional fitting H; to'which a tube [Inlay be attached, for discharge of liquid; from the bag, the fiow"through"tube l 2 being controlled by a conventionalsnap-acting pincer orthe like (not shown). In general, the fillingconnection IE is adapted to permit thefiowof liquid into, thebag B,- asin- Fig; 2, wherein the, upper end of the filling oonnection F! is held against a water tap on spigotlii'; but after the bag has. been filled, discharge-of the liquid through the filling con,- nectiomFis, prevented, in a manner explained detail-later. As-in-Figi 3:, the sides. lll andedges I5 ofrbag Bs'are preferably preformed to provide folds so that the bag may be folded flat, as shown, and the -tubei.lz2 either-coiled '01 wound" around; the bag, '1 orth'e'bag "B3 and; "tube: 12 wound? sh ut-e1 filling "connection- This provides a compact package, which may be conveniently carried in a compartment of a handbag or the like.

During use, i. e. after filling, it is unnecessary to depend upon the force of gravity for discharge of liquid from the bag B, since the bag may be gently or forcibly squeezed by the hand of the user, as desired. Thus, the bag B need not be positioned at a relatively elevated point with respect to the discharge end of tube l2, and therefore the tube I2 may be relatively short, such as only a few inches in length. Also, due to the non-return valve in filling connection F, there is no possibility of liquid being accidentally discharged through the filling connection during use.

One embodiment of filling connection F, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, comprises .a cylindrical outer sleeve l'l, over which neck ID of bag B may be stretched, and to which an inner body [8 is detachably connected, as by cooperating threads IS. The neck [8 of bag B slips over the outer sleeve H, and remains connected thereto, while the inner body I8 may be removed from the outer sleeve to permit a detergent, antiseptic, perfume or the like to be placed within the bag B prior to filling, or to permit the bag to be quickly emptied in case all of the liquid is not used. Inner body l8, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, is provided at its upper end with an upstanding flange 20, which may be knurled around the outside, as in Fig. 1, so that the user may more readily connect and disconnect inner body IS from outer sleeve ll, flange 20 providing a recess in which a washer 2i may be placed. Washer 2i is adapted to seal the lower end of the tap or spigot [3 of Fig. 2, so that it is necessary only to hold the filling connection F againstv the tap it, during filling. Washer 2| may be made of hard or soft rubber, or other material, sufiiciently soft material being preferred so that an effective seal at tap I3 is provided during filling by a relatively small amount of pressure against the tap. If desired, the washer 2| may be cemented or otherwise relatively permanently attached Within its recess. A gasket 22 may also be provided at the upper end of outer sleeve 1?, to prevent any possibility of leakage, the inner edge of gasket 22 being received in an annular recess 23 in body H, to prevent possible loss of the gasket.

The inner body l8, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, is also provided with a central passage 25 which leads to a well 26 formed in a depending cup 21, the latter being closed at its lower end and provided With one or more series of peripherally spaced holes or apertures 28. Holes 28 are adapted to form a non-return valve, in combination with a suitable closure, such as a tube 29, form-ed of rubber or other suitable elastic material stretched over the outside of cup 21 and distensible under water. or liquid pressure from well 26, as in Fig. 2. As indicated by the arrows of Fig. 2, water from tap l3 flows into well 26 and through holes 28 into the interior of bag B, the pressure of the water forcing the tube 29 away from the outer wall of the cup 21 below the holes 28. As will be evident from Fig. 4, after the ba is full of water, as to a level 30, no water will discharge from the bag through the filling connection, since the tube 29 seals the holes 28, due to the pressure of water on the out side thereof.

In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in Fig. 5, a single body I8 is provided, the outer sleeve being omitted and body l8 being 4. provided with an outer shoulder 32' over which the neck [0 of bag B is stretched. Outer shoulder 32 may be provided witharr inwardly tapered groove 33 at its upper end, into which the upper end of neck [0 of bag B extends, to cause neck ID to cling more securely to the connection. Similar to the body l8 of Figs. 2 and 4, the body l8 of Fig. 5 is provided with a central passage 25 leading to well 26 formed in depending cup 21, the latter having holes 28 and forming a nonreturn valve with a tube 29'. If desired, the lower end of tube 29' of Fig. 5, may be preformed so as to form a fiat, normally closed flap 34 at the lower end, which will open upon the discharge of liquid therethrough.

Body l8 of Fig. 5 is provided with an inwardly tapered recess 35 at its upper end, in which a generally annular washer or cushion 36, formedv of soft foam rubber or the like, and having an upper inwardly tapering surface, is relatively permanently attached, as by cementing, preferably with a waterproof cement or adhesive. The washer 36 is adapted to accommodate taps or' spigots of different sizes, such as the slightly larger tap l3, the end of which is pressed into the relatively soft material of Washer 36, as shown. As before, the bag is filled by pushing washer 36 at the upper end of the filling connection against tap or spigot I3, which causes the water or liquid to flow into well 26, out holes 28 and underneath tube 29', into the interior of the bag. When the outer sleeve is omitted, as in Fig. 5, antiseptic tablets or other material to be added to make up a desired solution in the bag, may be placed in the well 26, where they will tend to dissolve, and/or be carried through the holes 28 into the bag. Also, as before, after the bag has been filled to the desired level, the water or solution may be forced through the tube connected to the lower end of the bag by pressure on the bag, the non-return valve tube 29' preventing the water or solution from being discharged through the filling connection.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 includes an outer sleeve 40, an inner body 4| and a filling spout 42, the latter preferably being made of soft rubber or the like and cemented to or formed on and thereby attached to inner body 4| about a, dovetail joint 43. Filling spout 42 has a relatively long, inwardly tapering recess or inlet 44, so that a user may more readily hold the spout against and around the tap during filling. The lower end of spout 42 is also provided with an outwardly tapered surface which forms a sealing joint 45 with the inwardly tapered upper end of sleeve 49, the latter being attached to inner body 4| by threads l9, and adapted to be unscrewed therefrom to enable antiseptic tablets or other material to be placed in the bag prior to filling.

The remainder of the construction illustrated in Fig. 6 is similar to that of Figs. 2 and 4, except that outer sleeve 40 may be provided with an exterior groove 46 in which neck in of bag B fits to form a more secure joint, when neck I0 is stretched over the outer sleeve. Inner body 4! is provided with a central passage 25 leading to a well 26 in an elongated cup 21', the latter being provided with only one set of holes 28', normally covered by rubber tube 29, which may also be constructed in the same manner as tube 29' of Fig. 5. To hold tube 29 more securely on cup 2'1, the latter may be provided with a groove 41 into which the upper end of tube 29 extends, the constriction of the upper end of tube 29 in groove 41 insuring the flow of water through the lower end of tube 29, and the retention of tube 29 on cup 21" under relatively high pressure conditions.

'Cup 21 of Figs. 4 and 5 may be provided with a groove similar to groove '4'! of cup 21' of Fig. 6, or, as in Fig. 7, cup 21 may be provided with a series of exterior projections 50-, located above holes 28, for the same purpose. As will be evident, cup 21 of Fig. 6 may be provided with projections 50 in lieu of groove 41.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the sanitary bag and filling connection therefor of this invention fulfill to a marked degree the re quirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. The combination of a readily collapsible bag, with a filling connection having a non-return valve therein, permits the discharge tube to be 'made relatively small in length, so that the bag and tube may be folded or otherwise assembled in a small, compact package readily carried in a compartment of a handbag. Also, a filling connection having a suitable sealing device, such as the washer 2| or 36, or spout 42, permits the bag to be filled conveniently from an ordinary water tap or spigot, and also permits the bag to be partially filled with hot water from one tap, and then cold water from another tap, or vice versa, to produce the desired temperature of solution. A filling connection having an inner body readily removable from an outer sleeve, the latter being adapted to receive in sealing engagement the neck of the bag, permits an antiseptic, detergent, perfume or other material to be placed in the bag prior to filling. Also, as indicated previously, when the filling connection is provided with a well formed in a depending, elongated cup, the antiseptic or the like may be placed in the well, to be dissolved by or washed into the bag during filling. The preferred form of non-return valve is very simple in construction, yet operates effectively to permit the bag to be filled readily and prevent the discharge of the contents through the filling connection during use, as when the bag is squeezed in order to cause the contents to fiow out through the discharge tube.

V Various materials may be utilized in makin a filling connection constructed; inaccordance with this invention, the bagB, of course, being made nomically, may also be utilized. The valve tube 29 or 29 is, of course, madeo f resilient material suchasrubber, either natural or' synthetic, while the "gasket 22 may be made of natural 'ors'ynthetic rubber, or other plastic. The washer 2|, adapted to engage the filling tap or spigot, may be made of hard or soft rubber, as indicated, while the washer or cushion 36 and spout 42, which are interiorly tapered, are preferably made of a soft foam or cushion rubber or the like, as indicated previously. It will be understood, of course, that various other materials may be utilized.

It will also be understood that various changes in the size, shape or configuration of the parts may be made. For instance, cup 21 or 21' need not be annular in shape, although an annular shape is normally preferred because of its simplicity in production, since the cup may be square, hexagonal, or have other cross sectional shape, either regular or irregular. Also, the number and position, as well as thesp'acing, of holes 28 or 28' may be varied considerably from that shown. Other types of collapsible bags or recepta'cles may be used, as well as other types of non -return valves, such as a spring pressed-metal or plastic disc or bulb acting against a suitable seat. In addition, other types of joints between an inner body and outer sleeve may be utilized, as well as different sealing means.

While different embodiments of this inven tion and variants of certain parts thereof have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist, and other different variations may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1'. A-filling connection for a sanitary bag, comprising an outer sleeve adapted to be connected to said bag at the inlet thereof; and an inner body'removably attached to said outer sleeve and provided with a liquid non-return valve.

2. A filling connection for a sanitary bag, as defined in claim '1, including a threaded connection between said outer sleeve and inner body, and a gasket between said sleeve and inner body.

3. A'filling connection for a sanitary bag, as defined in claim 1, including a resilient filling spout at the upper end of said inner body and adapted to engage said outer sleeve to form a sealing joint therewith.

4.'A filling connection for a sanitary bag, adapted to be connected tosaid bag at the inlet thereof, and having a passage for the flow of fluid; valve means adapted to permit the flow of liquid through said passage to the interior of said bag, but prevent a return fiow of liquid; and sealing means at the entrance to said passage forengaging and sealing the end of a water tap or the like during filling.

5. In a filling connection for a sanitary bag, the improvement defined in'claim 4, wherein said body is provided with an upstanding fiange pro,- viding'a recess at the entrance to said passage;

and said sealing means comprises an annular washer'disposed in said recess.

6. In a filling connection for a sanitary bag, the improvement defined in claim 4, wherein said body'is provided with an inwardly tapering recess at the entrance to said passage; and

said sealing means comprises a disc of yieldable material attached to said body in said recess,

said disc having a central hole aligned with said passage and being relatively thicker adjacent Saidhole than at its outer edge.

'7. In a filling connection for a sanitary bag,

the improvement defined in claim 4, wherein said sealing means comprises a filling spout .formed of resilient material extending upward- 1 1y from said body, and havinga relatively long but to prevent the return flow of liquid through said holes.

9. A filling connection for a sanitary bag, as defined in claim 8, wherein said closure comprises a tube of rubber or the like.

10. A filling connection for a sanitary bag, as defined in claim 9, wherein said tube is preformed so as to be flattened at the end, such end extending below said cup.

11. A filling connection for a sanitary bag, as defined in claim 9, wherein said cup is provided with an exterior groove above said holes and adapted to receive the upper end of said tube.

12. A filling connection for a sanitary bag, as defined in claim 9, wherein said cup is provided with projections on its outer surface, said projections being positioned to engage the inside of said tube.

13. A filling connection for a sanitary bag having a neck, comprising a single body having an outer shoulder adapted to be attached to said bag by insertion within said neck and provided with a depending elongated cup extending within said bag, said cup having at least one hole in the side wall thereof; and a flexible closure surrounding said cup, said closure being adapted to permit the flow of liquid from said cup to the interior of said bag, but to prevent the return flow of liquid through said holes.

14. A filling connection for a sanitary bag having a neck at its inlet, comprising an annular outer sleeve adapted to be connected to said has at the inlet by insertion within said neck; an annular inner body threadedly attached to said outer sleeve and provided with a cylindrical elongated cup depending within said sleeve, said cup having a closed lower end and a plurality of holes in the side wall thereof, said inner body having a central passage leading to said cup and said body also having an upstanding fiange around its upper edge, said flange being exteriorly knurled and surrounding a washer receiving recess; a washer disposed in said recess and adapted for sealing engagement with a tap or the like during filling; an annular gasket between the upper end of said outer sleeve and said inner body, said body having a shoulder spaced below said flange and an annular recess for receiving the inner edge of said gasket; and a flexible tube surrounding said cup and extending above said holes, said tube being distensible to permit the fiow of liquid from said cup to the interior of said bag, but adapted to prevent the return flow of liquid through said holes.

15. A filling connection for a sanitary bag having a neck at its inlet, comprising a unitary body having an outer shoulder adapted to be connected to said bag at the inlet by insertion within said neck, said shoulder having a groove to receive the upper end of said neck and said body being provided with a cylindrical depending elongated cup having a closed lower end and a plurality of holes in the side wall thereof, said body having an inwardly tapering recess at its upper end and a central passage leading from said recess to said cup; an annular, soft, resilient washer attached 8 to said body in said recess and adapted for sealing engagement with a tap or the like during filling, said washer having a centrally inwardly tapering upper surface but being thicker adjacent the center than adjacent the edge; and a flexible tube of rubber or the like surrounding said cup and extending above said holes, said tube being distensible to permit the flow of liquid from said cup to the interior of said bag, but adapted to prevent the return fiow of liquid through said holes, the lower end of said tube below said cup being flattened to form a normally substantially closed flap.

16. A filling connection for a sanitary bag having a neck at its inlet, comprising an annular outer sleeve adapted to be connected to said bag at the inlet by insertion within said neck and having an exterior annular groove adapted to receive said neck, said outer sleeve having an inwardly inclined annular upper edge and being interiorly threaded therebelow; an inner body threadedly attached to said outer sleeve and provided with a cylindrical depending elongated cup extending within said sleeve, said cup having a closed lower end and at least one hole in the side wall thereof and an exterior groove above said hole, said inner body having an upstanding flange at its upper end adapted to form a dovetail joint and a central passage leading to said cup; a soft resilient filling spout attached to said body by said dovetail joint and having a relatively long tapering central inlet for sealing engagement with a tap or the like during filling, said inlet connecting with said passage and the lower end of said spout having an outwardly inclined shoulder adapted for sealing engagement with the upper edge of said sleeve; and an annular flexible tube of rubber or the like surrounding said cup and extendin above said holes with the upper end thereof received in said groove, said tube being distensible to permit the flow of liquid from said cup to the interior of said bag, but adapted to prevent the return flow of liquid through said holes.

EDWARD T. CHRISTOPHER. HARRY H. HERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 638,367 Tuttle Dec. 5, 1899 687,253 Morgan Nov. 26, 1901 1,743,376 Murphy Jan. 14, 1930 1,931,973 Zerk Oct. 24, 1933 1,961,321 Young June 5, 1934 2,087,780 Powell July 20, 1937 2,283,463 Rupp May 19, 1942 2,347,010 Vfard Apr. 18, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 385,921 Great Britain Jan. 5, 1933 

